uswrnk54

Is it normal for 1-2 seconds of (what I assume is) valve tick upon start up when I haven't driven my car for a while? Maybe this is a newbe question...

I would assume a boxer type motor would be less prone to starving the valves of of oil while the car sits?

Hurdigurdiman

On first start up and only for a few seconds I hear like a hissing/ticking noise then it goes normal. I dont know if this is normal as this is my first Porsche. I think we 996 owners tend to strain our ears for unusual sounds with these cars. Mine is a Manual 99 2C Cab job. What year is yours?

Barn996

Mine does initially, but some owners ears are much more sensitive than others.

perryinva

Same here after sitting for days. Assumed it was lifters pumping back up.

Kazual99

What exactly is "lifters pumping up"?

frisbee91

Me too. Clicking for a few seconds upon startup. I've never worried about it, but now I'm starting to.

ivangene

3.4 or 3.6?

what oil?
try another oil

I used the Euro Shell stuff (hard as hell to find...unless your indy carries it in 55/gal drums) and that helped a LOT on my initial start noises

soverystout

Trying desparately to start and oil thread are we?

I figured you would be yelling at the OP to DRIVE MORE!!!!

ivangene

HEY OP - STOP STOPPING THE MOTOR!!!

Kazual99

Still looking for an insight into what is "pumping up lifters" are?

San Rensho

The lifters are hydraulic, with pressure provided by the engine oil. Since it takes a moment for the oil pressure to build up at at startup the lifters can make noise from a cold start, moreso if the car hasn't been driven for a while and the oil has run out of the lifters.

The OP may also be hearing clatter from the chain tensioners, which are als hydraulically actuated and will make noise on startup.

Kazual99

Thanks! Now I have new knowledge

Macster

A brief moment or two of general valve/chain clatter upon cold start is normal.

The longer the car sits the more you'll hear of this, up to a point. That is the difference from sitting say a few days to 2 weeks or more is nil.

You might also hear -- briefly -- what sounds like a heavy chain being dragged over a log which is one or more of the long chains being pulled over its tensioner as the tensioner (its "tension" provided by high pressure oil supplied by the engine's oil pump) fills with oil.

Even though this has been covered I might add the zero lash valve lifters -- there is one between each cam lobe and its valve -- are also dependent upon high pressure oil. When the engine is shut off those lifters that are under pressure from the cam lobe pressing the lifter down and holding the valve open will slowly bleed off oil and lose pressure.

Upon engine start these will lack sufficient oil to provide zero lash so there is some clearance between the cam lobe and the top of the lifter. The cam lobe makes a bit of noise when it contacts this lifter top that is a distance away. A few revolutions though and the presence of high pressure oil supplied by the engine oil pump replenishes this oil in the lifter and the lifter rises to essentially provide zero lash (clearance) between the cam lobe and the lifter face against which is rubs against as it pushes down on the lifter and opens the valve.

This noise is normal and nothing to worry about unless the noise continues, a tick or some similar noise gets louder, comes from one place, or the engine exhibits other symptoms.

To minimize this noise upon startup my experience is to not run the oil too long. It gets contaminated with unburned gas and water and this lowers its viscosity which contributes to the startup noise.

For my driving, etc., I have found 5K miles about right.

I have not really noticed any difference in startup noise between 0w-40 and 5w-50 oil. The biggest difference simply comes from replacing the old oil with 5K miles on it with fresh oil.

ivangene

this is true which is why knowing if it is 3.4 or 3.6 matter as one has 5 chains, and one has 3 - one has variocam plus (a center section of the lifter that raises at low rpm) and one has solid tops (still hydaulic)

so start up clicking can be more than just lifters...it can be chain tensioners and even cam actuators - a good oil will help but the longer it sits and the more these parts wear the more oil seeps OUT while at rest

I will also say that your lifters have some oil in them from the factory...and i bet if you could run a test on that oil - its still the same oil that left the factory with...it cannot get out (I have taken quite a few lifters apart - its rather interesting)

Gonzo911

How long is too long? I hear a ticking sound at startup, but once the car gets to temp, it goes away. Certainly lasts for more than a few seconds. It is my DD (03 C2) so it never sits too long. Oil change at 5k miles (currently 2400 miles since last change). Oil pressure always good. No other issues. Short of flat bedding the car to Japan, should my Indy have a look?